Police in Ferguson arrest and threaten more journalists

Since chaos erupted in the streets of Ferguson, Mo., more than a week ago, journalists from all over the world have flocked to the scene. They have also, increasingly, become the target of police arrests.

Overnight, several journalists reported being detained, threatened or otherwise prevented from covering the unfolding story. The arrest late Sunday night of three reporters — Robert Klemko of Sports Illustrated, Chicago-based Financial Times reporter Neil Munshi and Rob Crilly, a foreign correspondent for the Telegraph (and no stranger to war zones) — reportedly came as the journalists attempted to gather more information while police faced off with protesters.

Threats, tear gas and even arrest have become occupational hazards for reporters in Ferguson. Some journalists have been seen wearing bulletproof vests and gas masks, as the risk of injury by real bullets, rubber bullets and tear gas is high.

In many cases, journalists eager to get the story have run into agitated cops worried by the threat of molotov cocktails, rocks, gunfire and general chaos.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon called for the National Guard to intervene in his city on Monday morning after protests grew violent yet again on Sunday night, despite a curfew the governor imposed on Saturday. (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)

“Get the f— out of here and keep that light off or you’re getting shelled with this,” the officer appeared to yell. Several other reporters also appeared to be the in the area, and the tense exchange was broadcast to thousands through the Argus Radio livestream channel.

Despite repeatedly identifying himself as a member of the media, Mustafa Hussein found himself threatened with a gun for having the keylight on his camera on.

MSNBC host Chris Hayes tweeted that police threatened to spray him with mace if he didn’t “get back.”

If you walk about 100 feet from OK’ed press area you find yourself lit up by a spotlight and a squad of police on hair trigger. — Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) August 18, 2014

All this comes after two reporters were arrested inside a McDonald’s last week during largely peaceful protests in Ferguson. One of those journalists, The Washington Post’s Wesley Lowery, recorded the exchange with police who said they were clearing the restaurant where Lowery and the Huffington Post’s Ryan Reilly were working.

According to Lowery, police slammed him into a soda machine, then arrested him after giving him conflicting direction about where to exit the McDonald’s.

Tensions flared once again after police released surveillance video on Friday that allegedly shows Michael Brown robbing a store minutes before he was shot dead by a police officer. The deadly encounter sparked a week of racially charged protests in Ferguson. (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)

Abby Phillip is a national political reporter covering the White House for The Washington Post.